In The Media

New York Times interviews Ana Maria Cuervo, M.D., Ph.D., about the scientist awarded the Nobel Prize for his discoveries on how cells recycle, known as autophagy. Dr. Cuervo is a leader in this field of research, focusing on chaperone-mediated autophagy. Dr. Cuervo is professor of developmental and molecular biology, of anatomy and structural biology, and of medicine, co-director of the Institute for Aging Research, and holds the Robert and Renée Belfer Chair for the Study of Neurodegenerative Diseases at Einstein.

The Washington Post interviews Snehal Patel, M.D., about his study that found eliminating a blood test could safely increase the number of donor hearts for transplants. Dr. Patel is assistant professor of medicine at Einstein and attending physician at the Montefiore Einstein Center for Heart and Vascular Care.

Reuters interviews Michal Melamed, M.D., about her research that found many young, obese adults are unaware they are at risk for kidney disease. Dr. Melamed is associate professor of medicine and of epidemiology & population health at Einstein and attending physician, nephrology at Montefiore Health System.

Los Angeles Times interviews Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., M.S., about buprenorphine, a drug used to treat opioid addiction, for an article on Prince’s death. Dr. Cunningham is associate chief of general internal medicine in the department of medicine at Einstein and Montefiore.

Nature interviews John Greally, M.B.B.Ch., Ph.D., about his criticism of a recent New Yorker article on epigenetics. Dr. Greally is professor of genetics, of medicine and of pediatrics and the director of the center for epigenomics at Einstein and attending physician at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore.

The New York Times interviews Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., M.S., about the growing acceptance of harm reduction approaches to drug addiction and treatment. Dr. Cunningham notes that these initiatives, which include needle exchanges and safe injection sites, were once rejected but are now being embraced as opioid and heroin addiction has exploded in white, suburban communities. Dr. Cunningham is professor of medicine and of family and social medicine at Einstein and associate chief of the division of general internal medicine at Einstein and Montefiore.

The Washington Post quotes Marcus Bachhuber, M.D., M.S., and Chinazo Cunningham, M.D., M.S., about their new study with Joanna Starrels, M.D., M.S., on the surge in overdose deaths from benzodiazepines. Dr. Bachhuber notes that this growing public health problem has largely flown under the radar. Dr. Bachhuber is assistant professor of medicine at Einstein and attending physician, Montefiore; Dr. Cunningham is professor of medicine and of family and social medicine at Einstein and associate chief of the division of general internal medicine at Einstein and Montefiore.

The New York Times interviews Dr. Nir Barzilai, M.D., about his upcoming clinical trial to determine if an existing FDA-approved drug can extend health span. Dr. Barzilai and his collaborators at the American Federation for Aging Research will investigate if metformin, a cheap and commonly used medication to treat type 2 diabetes, can delay the onset of several age-related diseases. Dr. Barzilai is the Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Chair of Aging Research and director of the Institute for Aging Research at Einstein.

National Geographic highlights the leadership role Nir Barzilai, M.D., is taking in a clinical trial to determine if a common diabetes drug can delay aging. Dr. Barzilai notes that the goal of the Targeting Aging with Metformin (TAME) study is not to find the “fountain of youth,” but to extend the number of healthy, active years humans can enjoy. Dr. Barzilai is the Ingeborg and Ira Leon Rennert Chair of Aging Research and director of the Institute for Aging Research at Einstein.

The New York Times interviews John Greally, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., about a new study that suggests a father’s experiences may influence the biology of his offspring. Dr. Greally notes the study size was small and therefore not conclusive. However, he suggests that research involving hundreds of subjects may help pin down whether epigenomic factors, namely molecules that turn genes on and off, can be passed down to children. Dr. Greally is professor of genetics, of medicine and of pediatrics and the director of the center for epigenomics at Einstein and attending physician at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore.

New York Times interviews Michael Alderman, M.D., about research that found reducing systolic blood pressure below current guidelines can save lives. The study determined that participants whose blood pressure was kept below 120, rather than the current recommended target of 140, had a 25 percent reduction in heart attack, heart failure or stroke, or died from heart disease. This was primarily achieved by providing additional medications. Dr. Alderman urged caution, noting decades-long pill taking by generally healthy people may lead to unintended consequences. Dr. Alderman is distinguished university professor emeritus of epidemiology & population health and of medicine.

New York Times interviews Kami Kim, M.D., about her research that indicates children with HIV are more likely to develop a severe form of malaria and die. Dr. Kim’s study looked at 3,000 Malawian children who went into comas with cerebral malaria and included autopsies on more than 100 who had died. Dr. Kim is professor of medicine, of microbiology & immunology and of pathology at Einstein and attending physician, infectious disease at Montefiore.